Earthquakes and fracking: Is there a link?

University of Oklahoma scientists say they have linked Oklahoma's biggest earthquake to the underground injection of wastewater from oil production.

The 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit near the town of Prague, Oklahoma in 2011.

The study says that wastewater disposal injections and hydraulic fracturing can affect the pressure along fault lines, triggering earthquakes.

East Texas has seen nine earthquakes in just the last year, but EOG Resources Vice President Ernest LaFlure says it's not from fracking.

"The areas where the earthquakes occurred in East Texas are along the Mount Enterprise fault zone, which is a very young fault system that's been active for millions of years and has had great seismicity for a very long period of time and the water disposal sites are not near that fault system" said LaFlure. "So we don't think there's a correlation there."

According to LaFlure, companies can only dispose their waste water at state-approved sites.

"If somebody does put any kind of disposal well—and that's for many different industries—directly into a fault zone, that could cause some lubrication of the fault zone and some seismicity but it's a very rare issue," LaFlure said.

Ben McGee with the U.S. Geological Survey says while fracking may not cause earthquakes, it can contribute to them.

"You have to have a fault present to have movement along a fault," McGee said. "But water or fluid injected into the earth in the vicinity of faults or in faults increase the likelihood that those faults will move."

The bottom line? There has to be a fault present naturally for an earthquake to occur, but McGee says only time will tell as to what kind of impact man actually has on those faults.

University of Oklahoma researches along with U.S. Geological Survey say the findings show a need for increased government monitoring and oversight for thousands of disposal wells across the country.

The state Agriculture Commissioner said today that the LSU AgCenter expects to start cloning cannabis from larger “mother” plants in June to create medical marijuana. Dr. Mike Strain, who heads the agriculture and forestry department, said his agency had received $80,000 from an LSU vendor to begin harvesting tissue for the state’s medical marijuana operation. Medical marijuana is not funded in next year’s state budget, which starts on July 1st. So the de...More >>

The state Agriculture Commissioner said today that the LSU AgCenter expects to start cloning cannabis from larger “mother” plants in June to create medical marijuana. Dr. Mike Strain, who heads the agriculture and forestry department, said his agency had received $80,000 from an LSU vendor to begin harvesting tissue for the state’s medical marijuana operation. Medical marijuana is not funded in next year’s state budget, which starts on July 1st. So the de...More >>

August of 2011, Amy Tonguis made a frantic call to 911 after her husband, Benjamin Tonguis, found their 9-day-old in the freezer. Originally, police say Amy told investigators she must have done it. But, as questioning went on, police say the parents pointed the blame at each other.

August of 2011, Amy Tonguis made a frantic call to 911 after her husband, Benjamin Tonguis, found their 9-day-old in the freezer. Originally, police say Amy told investigators she must have done it. But, as questioning went on, police say the parents pointed the blame at each other.

It's been nearly a year since a young teacher at Lagrange High School was arrested under suspicion of inappropriately touching a student. Charges have since been rejected, but 32 year old Raymond Johnson says he’s still suffering the consequences. Johnson loved his job teaching at Lagrange High School. But then he was arrested after allegations of indecent behavior with a juvenile, which he says are not true. Johnson's life changed dramatically... "Last...

It's been nearly a year since a young teacher at Lagrange High School was arrested under suspicion of inappropriately touching a student. Charges have since been rejected, but 32 year old Raymond Johnson says he’s still suffering the consequences. Johnson loved his job teaching at Lagrange High School. But then he was arrested after allegations of indecent behavior with a juvenile, which he says are not true. Johnson's life changed dramatically... "Last...

The District attorney's office has released Amy Tonguis' 911 phone call, reporting that she found her baby in a freezer. Tristan Tonguis, a 9-day old baby, died from being in the freezer. Amy and Benjamin Tonguis, the baby's father, blamed each other for the death. To this day, the case remains unsolved. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.

The District attorney's office has released Amy Tonguis' 911 phone call, reporting that she found her baby in a freezer. Tristan Tonguis, a 9-day old baby, died from being in the freezer. Amy and Benjamin Tonguis, the baby's father, blamed each other for the death. To this day, the case remains unsolved. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.

One man living in south Lake Charles said he has concerns about a culvert near the Ham Reid Nelson Road Roundabout. Paul Theriot, who lives nearby, said since the roundabout opened he's seen at least five cars end up in his yard with flat tires. Theriot said he doesn't actually have a problem with the roundabout however. "When they go around the circle and go to straighten out, they're being distracted from either texting or the I-Phone and they're not paying attention and the...

One man living in south Lake Charles said he has concerns about a culvert near the Ham Reid Nelson Road Roundabout. Paul Theriot, who lives nearby, said since the roundabout opened he's seen at least five cars end up in his yard with flat tires. Theriot said he doesn't actually have a problem with the roundabout however. "When they go around the circle and go to straighten out, they're being distracted from either texting or the I-Phone and they're not paying attention and the...